People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1894 — MADE RAPID STRIDES. [ARTICLE]

MADE RAPID STRIDES.

Remarkable Growth of the A. R.U. tn Less Than a Year. Chicago, June 13.—The first quadrennial convention of the American Railway union assembled at Fisher’s I hall, 82 East Lake street, at 10 a. m. i Tuesday, and, a few minutes later, adi journed and repaired to larger quar- ' ters, Ulrich’s hall at North Clark and : Kinzie street. It was in Fisher’s hall that the organization was first formed, and the leaders felt at home when they came within its doors. Less than a year ago the first union was organized with a mere handful of men. To-day there are 422 flourishing, prosperous unions with a total membership of 124,379 in - all the states and territories of the ‘ country. The object of the convention is to organize all railroad organizations under one management, which shall govern the entire working force of ' the roads. Switchmen, brakemen, firemen, engineers and conductors are all included. A perfect storm of applause burst forth when President Debs advanced, 1 and it continued with increasing force for nearty five minutes. The delegates to a man and wildly waved hats, coats and handkerchiefs. At frequent intervals he was interrupted by the most demonstrative applause. In the beginning President Debs gave a brief history of the organization, called into existence by conditions vindicating its necessity, and commented upon the rapid growth, which, he said, was without parallel in the history of labor organizations. “We appreciate the fact,” continued President Debs, “that in binding an organization of railway employes it must, like a modern battleship, be built for war. We have determined to build upon that plan.” Continuing Mr. Debs made reference to the financial and business depression of the times which falls with crushing effect on labor. Referring to the strike of the miners he said it was for a principle -and that the purpose of the miners was as patriotic as ever prompted men to battle for honor and for home. Gratitude is a jewel and the American Railway union cannot afford to forget the assistance the miners gave it in the Great Northern strike. The time will come, if it is not here air ady, when the union will refuse to handle a pound of coal mined by nonunion men. On the subject of the Pullman strike Mr. Debs said that Pullman, the town, like Pullman, the proprietor, had a national reputation not unlike that of Carnegie, Frick jind Homestead enjoy. He then reviewed- the causes- which led up to the strike and said: -The Pullman strike as an object lesson will, 1 doubt'not, engage the attention of thia convention. It is a terrible illustration o! corporate greed and heartlessness and Pharisaical fraud, which for years have prevailed in this country, and which have made conditions in the presence of which the stoutest hearts take alarm.” ' 2 - -- After strongly advocating national ownership of railroads the president concluded his address by an earnest plea to further organization, and closer union. At the end of the speech the members went wild. Every one was on his feet and cheer after cheer was given. The American Railway union was organized in Chicago June 20, 1b93. At that time there met Eugene V. Debs, George W. Howard, Sylvester Keliher, W. H. Sebring, L. W. Rogers, James Hogan and two or three other old-time railroad men, with v. hom the idea of such organization originated. It was two months later that the first practical work was done. Since that time it has grown to its present membership. During the ten months of its existence the organization has been called upon to settle twelve different disputes between railroad corporations and its employes. In two cases, those of the Great Northern railroad and the Northern Pacific Terminal company,it was necessary to order a strike in order to gain recognition, but in each of the twelve cases the organization came out victorious.